"We are delivering the latest updates regarding legal and human rights issues in East Java, ranging from on penitentiary, immigration, or even legal and human rights services," Head of the East Java Office of the Law and Human Rights Ministry Imam Jauhari said.
One of his concerns was the prevention of human trafficking cases, which are currently rampant,he said while meeting East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa on Monday.
According to a written statement received here on Tuesday, he said preventing human trafficking is everyone's responsibility, thus everyone needs to collaborate to address the very complex issue.
"Economic factors such as poverty, low education, issues in seeking domestic jobs, and sociocultural aspects have been the triggers of human trafficking all along," Jauhari explained.
He stressed the importance of the contribution from stakeholders such as the national defense forces, national police, the government, and the Migrant Workers’ Protection Agency (BP2MI) in preventing human trafficking.
A harmonious collaboration between all stakeholders is necessary to combat the crime, he said.
"We expect to get support from the governor in addressing the issue, considering East Java is an area prone to human trafficking," he added.
At least 29 thousand people are lodged in 39 penitentiary and detention centers in East Java, in excess of their intended capacity of 13 thousand, he pointed out.
"We hope that the provincial government can push for the optimization of restorative justice so that not all perpetrators of crimes are thrown into the penitentiary and detention centers, but can utilize (other) alternatives," he said.
Regarding this human trafficking issue, Khofifah Indar Parawansa said it needs to be addressed in a specific way because its modus operandi has kept changing, while the number of victims has continued growing.
"In the past, we knew of trafficking in persons. Now, it is done more systematically, and the victims are a group of people. This is what must be anticipated," she underlined.
She also seconded Jauhari's statement, saying that many people need to get involved to resolve the issue.
A forum group discussion among stakeholders is necessary to tackle human trafficking and prepare a comprehensive action plan to prevent it, considering it is a complicated issue, even on a global scale, she added.
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Translator: Indra Arief Pribadi, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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